I just celebrated a birthday. I moved from “76 Trombones” to “77 Sunset Strip.” Next year it will be 78 rpm [for those too young – that relates to record player speed]. I have a lot of company — college pals, golfing buds and celebrities. Many of us born in the year 1947. The biggest and most prominent celebrity born in that year is my wife Donna – born exactly 30 days after me. 

Among the heavyweights born in that year, I’m in pretty good company. My brethren and sisthren include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barbara Bach, David Bowie, Glenn Close, Albert Brooks, O.J. Simpson, Emmylou Harris, Meat Loaf, Ted Danson, Camilla Parker Bowles, Elton John, James Woods, Carlos Santana, Farrah Fawcett, Sam Neill, David Letterman, Stephen King, Teri Garr, David Mamet and Hillary Clinton.

When I look at myself in the mirror – and at the assembly of college pals, golfing buddies and celebrities, I have to wonder just why I’m here. I got to thinking about that – and looked up those special events that occurred in 1947. And then it dawned on me. . . .

In 1947, an alleged Army Air Force balloon crashed near Roswell, New Mexico. It was said that it had been operated from nearby Alamogordo Air Base as part of the top secret “Project Mogul.” However when debris was recovered, it was determined that it had been a flying disc — and likely a UFO. One has to wonder about the numerous alien life forms that likely escaped that space ship in 1947 into the . . . . never mind. . . .